Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Three-dimension
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-22
2001-06-26
Jankus, Almis R. (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Three-dimension
C345S473000, C345S474000, C345S111000, C345S111000, C345S901000, C345S215000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252602
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus to display information stored in the memory, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus having two display screens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various information processing apparatuses have been conventionally proposed to improve operability by adopting, for example, a graphic user interface (GUI). Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-84741/1995 (Tokukaihei 7-84741), as an example, discloses a technology for graphically structuring the visual interface on a user interface in a data processing system. This conventional technology structures a visual interface on a data processing system by displaying a plurality of graphic user items on the user interface of a data processing system.
Another example is found in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 1-234890/1989 (Tokukaihei 1-234890) disclosing a graphic display method capable of illustrating objects in three dimensions by displaying three kinds of views, namely the front view, plan view and side view, on a single screen. According to the method, complex graphics can be drawn flexibly in two or more display regions on a single screen without newly defining display regions. To be more specific, a new display region does not overlap an old display region to hide the graphic in the old display region or block the sight when complex graphics are to be drawn in separate display regions.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-56504/1995 (Tokukaihei 7-56504), as an example, discloses a facility guide map in a multi-storied building. The facility guide map displays, on a single screen, a solid view showing the present location and the destination, a plan view showing the present floor, and a plan view showing the floor on which the destination can be found, and the information displayed includes a way leading from the present location to the destination and landmarks that can be spotted along the way. The facility guide map offers as much information as the operator would need, in a visually easy-to-understand format.
The conventional technologies described above all present information on a single screen, not being directed to a more naturally looking GUI: for example, a three-dimensional GUI such that the operator finds himself/herself in a virtual space.
Some applications having emerged recently on networks such as the Internet realize a GUI that makes the operator feel as if he/she were in the virtual space and that changes the displayed image in response to movement of the operator in the virtual space. However, such applications still provide information only on a single screen, failing to produce three-dimensional graphics with natural appearance.
Some information processing apparatuses have been conventionally suggested for realizing a three-dimensional GUI by displaying images on two screens. An example of such information processing apparatuses exhibits, for example, a front view of an object on one of two display screens and, for example, a plan view of that object on the other display screen. Although such a conventional information processing apparatus displays images on two screens, alteration in the information displayed on one of the screens does not automatically lead to corresponding alteration in the information displayed on the the screen. Therefore, the apparatuses using two screens still have the same problem of lacking in capability to produce three-dimensional graphics with a natural appearance as do the apparatuses using a single screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that is capable of making a change on one of the display screens in response to a change made on the other display screen and that can thereby display images with a solid natural appearance.
In order to accomplish the object, the information processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention has:
a first display section including a display screen for displaying a plan view of at least one object;
a second display section including a display screen for displaying a front view of the object; and
a main control section for controlling a display state of the object on the display screens of the first and second display sections, and for, in response to a change in the display state of the object on one of the display screens, changing the display state of the object on the other display screen.
The information processing apparatus displays the object in plan and front views on the two display screens provided to the first and second display sections. The information processing apparatus can display one or more objects. When the user changes a display state on, for example, the display screen of the first display section, that is, a display state of the object in the bird's eye view on the display screen of the first display section, the main control section makes, as a response, a predetermined change in the display state on the display screen of the second display section. That is, the display state of the object in the front view on the display screen of the second display section is also changed.
The display state on the display screens is, for example, the size (scale ratio), color, or location of the object on the display screen, or the position of marking upon selection by the user. Those changes in the display state on the display screen of the second display section controlled by the main control section vary greatly from making the same change as on the first display section to enlarging or diminishing, on the display screen of the second display section, the object selected on the display screen of the first display section.
On the other hand, when the user changes a display state on the display screen of the second display section, the main control section makes, as a response, a predetermined change in the display state on the display screen of the first display section.
According to the above configuration, as described above, a display state is changed in a predetermined manner on one of the first and second display sections in response to a change in the display state on the other display section. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can display the object in a three-dimensional manner in the plan and front view with the first and second display sections, allowing the user to visually recognize the object with natural appearance in a three-dimensional manner.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4601003 (1986-07-01), Yoneyama et al.
patent: 4870458 (1989-09-01), Shibuya et al.
patent: 5199104 (1993-03-01), Hirayama
patent: 5406307 (1995-04-01), Hirayama et al.
patent: 5414444 (1995-05-01), Britz
patent: 5467102 (1995-11-01), Kuno et al.
patent: 5467444 (1995-11-01), Kawamura et al.
patent: 5583529 (1996-12-01), Satou
patent: 5668570 (1997-09-01), Ditzik
patent: 5682511 (1997-10-01), Sposato et al.
patent: 5701403 (1997-12-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5703624 (1997-12-01), Kruistum
patent: 5784058 (1998-07-01), LaStrange et al.
patent: 5808616 (1998-09-01), Shimizu
patent: 5844547 (1998-12-01), Minakuchi et al.
patent: 5850206 (1998-12-01), Kashiwagi
patent: 5854997 (1998-12-01), Sukeda et al.
patent: 5900848 (1999-05-01), Haneda et al.
patent: 2 169 779 (1986-07-01), None
patent: 1-234890 (1989-09-01), None
patent: 7-56504 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 7-84741 (1995-03-01), None
Asteasu, C. et al., “Three-Dimensional World Model Building and Imaging System Based on a Priori Knowledge”, Computers in Industry, vol. 24, No. 1, May 1, 1994, pp. 39-54.
Harada Koichi
Matsuda Eichika
Jankus Almis R.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
Tran Henry N.
LandOfFree
Information processing apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Information processing apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Information processing apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2532344